Lucknow, 8 July

Following the arrest of Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, the alleged mastermind of a religious conversion racket, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said preliminary investigations revealed that his activities are not only anti-social but also "anti-national".

"In the initial probe, it has come to light that the activities of the accused Jalaluddin are not only against society but also against the nation,” Adityanath said.

Asserting that there will be no leniency in matters related to law and order in the state, the chief minister stated, “The properties of the accused and other criminals linked to his gang will be seized, and strict legal action will be taken against them.”

On Saturday, the UP Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Chhangur Baba, along with his aide.

Chhangur Baba and co-accused Neetu alias Nasreen are residents of Madhpur in Balrampur district.

A non-bailable warrant was issued against Chhangur Baba, while the police had declared a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for his arrest.

The duo was produced before a court and subsequently sent to the Lucknow District Jail after their remand was obtained.

The case, registered at a police station in Gomtinagar, Lucknow, under various sections of the BNS and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021, alleges that the accused acted in an organised manner to convert individuals from Hindu and non-Muslim communities to Islam.

"The poor, helpless labourers, weaker sections, and widowed women were lured with incentives, financial aid, promises of marriage, or forced through intimidation, in violation of established procedures for religious conversion by the accused," the police statement said.

Earlier, two other accused -- Naveen alias Jamaluddin and Mehboob, who is Jalaluddin's son -- were arrested on 8 April. Both hail from Balrampur and are currently lodged in the Lucknow District Jail.

On Tuesday, the district administration and police conducted demolition action in Balrampur against the illegal properties of Chhangur Baba and his gang members.

"The properties constructed on government land illegally by Chhangur and his gang members are being demolished after following due legal process," Superintendent of Police, Balrampur, Vikas Kumar stated.